Stars, stripes and superheroes

America loves it's heroes, whether they are firefighters, police officers or soldiers. They live to serve the people so we could get through a safer day. They don't have special powers, nor do they need them. But in the Marvel Comics lore, there would most certainly be a superhero mixed in with our everyday-protectors. That is exactly what's delivered in director Joe Johnston's American pride comic book adaptation, Captain America: The First Avenger. With a character that has been much anticipated to save the world on the big screen, a well-crafted background story and some entertaining action put in the mix, Captain America is one to cheer for as he defends our star-spangled land.

Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is a young man who is determined to enlist in the U.S. army during World War 2. But because of some medical conditions, he is constantly rejected. Upon seeing the passion in him to serve his country, Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci), who works for the U.S. government Strategic Scientific Reserve, recruits Steve to a squad of soldiers that is under the control of Colonel Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones). After seeing his promise as a soldier, Dr. Erskine suggests to the colonel that Steve should take part in an experiment that changes ordinary army men into "super-soldiers." After is alteration, Steve does whatever he can to assist the U.S. army in taking down Nazi officer Johann Schmidt (Hugo Weaving) and his terrorist group known as HYDRA, who are attempting to destroy the world by merging their technology with the godly power of an ancient artifact known as the Tesseract.

Chris Evans has improved greatly from back when he played another superhero, the Human Torch, in the two Fantastic Four films. He drops all of the annoying smugness of that character, and trades it in for someone who's a lot more likable. His character is well-developed throughout the film. He goes from a scrappy boy from Brooklyn to a war hero. Even in his new physical state, Steve doesn't show-off or become egotistical. He remembers the purpose of his powers is to help his fellow soldiers, and he retains the same strong-minded and courageous attitude as he kept in his previous self.

The script has a good sense of pace when telling the portion of the film where Steve Rogers becomes Captain America. It fleshes out his character before diving into the action. There is a sprouting relationship between Captain America and SSR officer Peggy Carter, played by Hayley Atwell. In this, we have just the right amount of a love story; and, thankfully, it's not too much and doesn't dilute the main purpose of Steve Rogers' journey, which is saving the world while also coming to terms with his enhanced abilities.

Hugo Weaving's character, who becomes the dreaded Red Skull, doesn't go beyond the usual villain trying to take over the world; and therefore, he isn't too memorable. He still does well with what he's given. The action scenes aren't anything special, but watching Americans take on some Nazis never gets old. This is the final film in a stream of Marvel adaptations that all lead to next summer's The Avengers, and this set up ends on a good note. Joe Johnston has made a superhero movie that was well worth the long wait. It's not spectacular, but it does have its bright spots of red, white and blue.

Final grade: B